HIGHLIGHT!e Newsle"er of # High Street Hill Association Ap&l 2013

WWW.HIGHSTREETHILL.ORG

Please Join Us for Your Neighborhood Association’s

Annual MeetingMonday, May 6

at the Latvian Lutheran Church58 Irving Street

6 PM Family Potluck Dinner7 PM Featured Speaker Brookline Town Administrator Mel Kleckner

HSHA Annual Business Meeting to FollowThose with last names beginning with A-F please bring a main dish, G-M a dessert, and N-Z a salad.

Your HSHA

Dues are due

see page 4

The growth of Brookline’s student population is putting pressure on our Town’s budget. What will happen with the town/school partnership? Possible overrides? Redistricting? What are the implications for our neighborhood? Mr. Kleckner will

give us an overview and answer some of your questions.

Old Lincoln, New Lincoln, First LincolnAs our town struggles to come up with a plan and the funding to deal with our burgeoning student population, one thing is clear-- the Old Lincoln School will be part of any solution. According to School Superintendent Bill Lupini, one idea involves moving about 500 eighth graders into the Old Lincoln School for the 2014-2015 school year while a new eighth and ninth grade middle school is constructed. Another solution involves using the Old Lincoln while building a brand new K-8 school. And the third proposal is to form a “super elementary” school by combining both Old Lincoln and New Lincoln into a “campus”.

But did you know that in 1929-1930 our neighborhood was engaged in a pitched battle over building a new Lincoln School to replace the first Lincoln School on Boylston Street? This first school, built in the 1880’s, was considered antiquated, unsafe and in the way of a possible widening of Boylston Street for the “Boston-Worcester Turnpike.”As described in articles from the Brookline Chronicle unearthed recently by HSHA board member John Carpenter, the School Committee had proposed to build a new school on Walnut Street on a lot just west of Walnut Place, where there is currently a set of modest midcentury modern houses. A petition, signed by more than “three-score property owners” declared that “the placing of a large schoolhouse with its 700-1000 school children in our quiet

neighborhood would be to us a real disaster, lessening the comfort and happiness of our daily lives, to say nothing of the effect upon the the desirability and value of our properties.” At a Town Meeting in September 1930 the proposal was defeated 118 to 90 but a followup editorial in the Chronicle suggested that perhaps the town should use eminent domain to seize the properties immediately behind the existing Lincoln School to build a school on the north side of Walnut Street where it could enjoy a “southerly exposure.” The problem was resolved, at least for a few decades, by demolishing the first Lincoln and building the now “Old” Lincoln in 1932. In 1999, a 20-year neighborhood effort culminated in moving the elementary school from the 1932 building to the award-winning New Lincoln on Kennard Street.

The first Lincoln School on Boylston St Brookline Historical Society

The Highlight is printed several times a year and is distributed on foot or by bicycle by HSHA Board members and their usually-willing family members. If you have a comment or contribution, contact the editor, Rob Daves, at 617-566-7334 or at robdaves@rcn.com.

Vote on April 30

This year the Annual Town Election will be held a week early to coincide with the Special State Primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by John Kerry for which there are 2 Democratic and 3 Republican candidates.

For Town Meeting there are 6 candidates for 5 seats in Precinct 4, and 7 candidates for 5 seats in Precinct 5. Currently sitting Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Neil Wishinsky is running unopposed for Selectman which means that his Precinct 5 seat will be filled by a caucus of the other 14 Precinct 5 TMM’s just prior to Town Meeting on May 28. There are also contested elections for both the Trustees of the Public Library and the School Committee.

The polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. All of the HSHA area is in Precinct 5 except for the portion that is both east of High Street and north of Allerton Street which is in Precinct 4. On the list below an asterisk denotes a candidate for re-election.

Walking Walnut Street: Something for Everyone

There is so much happening on Walnut Street—historic preservation, home renovations, “Green” technology, and gardens. On Sunday, May 19, between 2 and 5 p.m., the High Street Hill Association will host Walking Walnut Street: Something Old, Something New and Something Green. Eight Walnut Street and three Walnut Place homeowners are opening their yards to give neighbors a closer look at their old, new and green lives.

This is not your typical garden tour where tons of mulch are spread around and homeowners kill themselves making their yards look perfect. It is an informal event intended to provide neighbors an opportunity to learn more about Walnut Street’s rich architectural history, check out how neighbors are improving their homes, find out how much electricity solar panels produce (and cost), and see what is planted in their yards.

The tour is free to HSHA members. Guidebooks will be available the day of the tour on Rob Daves’ newly reconstructed front porch at 9 Upland Road. Beginning at 4 pm, there will be food and refreshments available on the porch. Even if you are unable to take the Walnut walk, please come meet neighbors and help celebrate Rob’s labor of love. Be sure to admire the 580 balusters he turned on a lathe in his backyard!

WALKING

TOUR

Walnut St.

Diana Post, PresidentAnthony Flint, Vice President

John Carpenter, SecretaryKristin Leader, Treasurer

Margot BalboniKerry BrownRob Daves

Betsy Shure GrossBrian Grossman*Margaret Talcott

Alexis Hasiotis Wintersteen(*New Candidate)

Thanks to Bill Weber and Blake Cady for their service over the past few years:

Presenting the 2013 HSHA Board Candidate Slate

(to be voted on at our May 6 meeting)

Precinct 4Vote at Town Hall

Choose Any Five

INGRID E. COOPER 30 Brook Street* CARLOS ERNESTO MORALES 32 Juniper Street*

JOSEPH E. ROBINSON 41 Brook Street*VIRGINIA A. SMITH 12 Linden Street*

ANNE S. COVERT 33 Pond AvenueDONELLE S. O’NEAL, SR. 68 Village Way

Precinct 5Vote at Lincoln School

Choose Any Five

DENNIS J. DeWITT 94 Upland Road* DAVID H. HAMLIN 6 Wellington Terrace*

ANGELA B. HYATT 87 Walnut Street*RANDOLPH MEIKLEJOHN 161 Cypress Street*

ANDREW M. OLINS 242 Walnut Street* MICHAEL B. GUNNUSCIO 302 Walnut Street

AMIE LINDENBOIM 66 Chestnut Street

Existing House at 239 Walnut Street Proposed Houses A & B

Preservation Commission Hears Developer's Proposal for 239 Walnut StreetAbout a month ago the developer of 239 Walnut Street, Rob Sokoloff from Sixth Run LLC, asked the HSHA to arrange an introductory meeting with Precinct 5 Town Meeting Members, HSHA board members, and, most importantly, abutters to the property to preview their plans and to solicit input from the neighborhood. After a cordial exchange of the developer’s intentions and the neighbor’s expectations, it was agreed that the best way to include the whole neighborhood would be to proceed through the Preservation Commission’s review process, since all PC meetings, including  site visits, are public open meetings and must be properly noticed on the Town's calendar.

Sixth Run LLC purchased the property for $2.86 million and there are currently 3 units on the T-5 Zoned, 33,000 square foot lot-- two in the main brick and wood house which dates from 1820 and one in the former carriage house in the rear. The proposal, as described at the first meeting, would involve subdividing the vacant portion into two additional lots and building a two-family with two 2,700 sf units on each, although by right the zoning would allow significantly larger structures with little setback from the property lines. Mr. Sokoloff and his architect said that they would endeavor to respect the neighborhood and were choosing to provide a generous 45 ft setback of the 1820’s house, keep the mass of the buildings similar to adjacent houses, use the existing driveway to serve the all four units, place the garages under the house at the rear

and would limit the height to only 2 floors with a low attic space which could be only used for storage.

On April 9, the Preservation Commission and neighbors got a chance to see a more detailed proposal (to see the plans go to the PC’s “Local Historic District Case Reports” webpage). Many at the meeting said that they felt the drawings were misleading and were unhappy with the height, scale and mass of the two buildings compared to what they expected from the preliminary sketches and discussion at the first meeting. The Commissioners asked the developer to return with several, less detailed options so that there might be some agreement on the roof plan, massing and siting before focusing on style and design details.

It is expected that there will be several meetings over the next few months and neighborhood input is critical. Check for future meetings and please come to express your comments.

West Elevation

Upcoming Events"Climate Change:What Would Olmsted Do?"Frederick Law Olmsted was a visionary who changed the lives of generations in the Boston area with his design principles. But how can we apply his ideas to address the challenge of climate change facing our communities? Panel discussions, box lunch and folllowed by tours of the Emerald Necklace parks at 1pm.9am Saturday, April 27, at Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, BostonRegistration fee $10. Register at emeraldnecklace.org or call 617-522-2700. Seating is limited. Sponsored by the Olmsted 2022 Steering Committee.

Forum on Warrant Articles for Town Meeting. Sponsored by the Brookline Neighborhood Alliance and the League of Women Voters of BrooklineMay 8, 7:00 p.m. Brookline Town Hall, room 103.

HSHA Annual Father’s Day PicnicPony rides and good times with your neighbors.4 pm Sunday, June 16 on Philbrick Square (or Green)

The Muddy River Dulcimer FestivalThe festival will include three folk concerts, one instrument petting zoo and an afternoon of workshops for beginner and experienced players. Featuring Pill Hill neighbors Lorraine and Bennett HammondFriday and Saturday, April 26-27, at the Brookline Music School. The folk concerts are free and the workshop is $30 general and $20 for seniors or 10-18 years old. To register call (617) 277-4593.

Birds and BardsJoin Gerry Wright from the Friends of Jamaica Pond in Olmsted Park to combine the joy of observing birds with the writings of poets. Sponsored by the Brookline GreenSpace Alliance.8-9:30 am Sunday, April 28. Meet in Olmsted Park opposite the Brook House at 33 Pond Avenue.

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* For those that live outside of the HSHA area(subject to board approval)

Walnut Street Reconstruction Expected to Begin this SummerIt was the consensus of those who attended the February 27 neighborhood meeting on the upcoming Walnut Street reconstruction that, rather than risk delay and possible lack of funding by submitting the project to the town for a extensive traffic calming review, it would be better to proceed with the standard reconstruction process already approved in the town’s Capital Improvement Plan. Most felt that the current proposal would provide some significant improvements and there would be little to be gained in terms of further reductions in traffic volume and speeds by an expensive, protracted overhaul like the last one in 2000. According to Peter Ditto, Town Engineer , the project will take about 3 months and will involve lane closing. If you have questions contact Project Manager Kurt Frazer at 617-264-6443.

•Roadway ReconstructionCold Plane and Overlay up to three inches of pavement. Install up to three inches of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA).•Shoulder, Curb, and Tree Lawn AreaInstall new granite curbing, remove and reset existing granite curbing, create ADA compliant wheelchair ramps. Replace specified sections of sidewalks, and drives and replace them with Cement Concrete. Loam, Lime, Fertilize, and Hydroseed all existing and proposed tree lawn•Water, Sewer, and Drainage Remove and reset water, drainage, and sewerage structures.•Raised CrosswalksRemove existing Raised Crosswalks. Install two Raised Crosswalks on Walnut Street. ( same location )•Signage and Pavement MarkingsInstall Town Furnished sign post and anchors at locations specified on plans. Install new Pavement Markings.

Pill Hill is a great neighborhood. Please support the HSHA.High Street Hill Association

Membership Application

Yes, I’d like to receive the HSHA newsletter and updates by email.

Enclosed is a check for $25 for a one year family/household membership.

I’d like to support the HSHA with an additional donation of $ _________.(the HSHA is 501(c)4 organization and donations are not tax deductible)

" " " " Total Enclosed _________

Name _______________________________________________Address ___________________________________________Phone ___________________________ Email ___________________________________________Living in Pill Hill since ___________________________ (please print clearly)

Mail to:" High Street Hill Association" Kristin Leader, Treasurer" 141 Walnut Street" Brookline, MA 02445

New Renewal Associate*

In the spirit of community building, the High Street Hill Association is going to create and distribute a neighborhood directory for dues-paying members including their address and contact information. We respect your privacy, so please check the boxes below if:

____ I do not want my email address included____ I do not want my phone number included ____ I do not want to be included

 What neighborhood issues or activities are you interested in? Would you be willing to volunteer your time to help out?____ Neighborhood social activities____ Neighborhood & community political issues____ Olmsted Park beautification

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